Atlantic/California?

[martinj]

Hi
Can anyone tell me the difference between the Westy Atlantic and Californias please? Looked in the wiki but can't find it. Someone else's T3 Westfalia link just got me the info that the main difference is the California has single glazing and no heater, but the Atlantic has both - so I presume the Atlantic is usually more expensive?
Thanks!

[Red Westie]

Tis a bit more that that:
Main differences on standard spec...Atlantic being higher spec than california so the extras on the Atlantic were:

As you say..Plastic double glazing..yes warmer and looks good but often scratched and cracked compared to glass.
Eberspacher heating was standard on both
Slightly higher spec fabric used on seats/bed etc
Some Atlantics had air con
Atlantics have the extra side plank plastics which looks good.
Big electric mirrors as standard
Carat Alloy wheels with 205/70 R14's instead of steels/trims and 185's
Rear light blenders (fills between lights and number plate)
Some additional colour coding of bumpers and mirrors
Metalic paint (fancier colours)

Now I know there were many more smaller additions but these (above) were the main ones.

It is worth pointing out that over the 20 plus years since this model many of the California's have been spec'd up...Mine for instance now has Carat wheels, momo steering wheel, big mirrors, South African grille, rear light blenders, crystal lights and will have planks fitted by the summer.

Martin

[Red Westie]

As for value (what peeps are askin)
Atlantics in tip top condition (retail...from a dealer) £9500 to £12,000 with the odd exception up to £16,000

California's in the same condition: £8000 to £10,500 with truely exception examples going for £12,000

This is the high end...you can get less than imaculate examples around £5,500 (California's) £6500/£7000 (Atlantic)

California's are clearly better value but we are not talking cheap end here, there are many other conversions that perhaps offer better overall value.

Poptop's generally are slightly more desireable than hightops but choose yours on suitability as Hardtops are clearly better suited for some.

And lastly....Body is everything!!!! remember that.

Martin

[guzzi]

Just to add to that, i recently bought a dirt cheep California (3.5k) for the roof and interior, and its just as well that was all i wanted. was rotten as a pear: -


i didnt take pics of the bad areas spacifically but you get the idea from here (see the the hole on the seet box): -



And hereyou can see an enormus patch of rot form the usual insulation/fridge rust spot



Fairly grim and all looked ok from the outside!

[dsa]

[quote="Red Westie"]

Eberspacher heating was standard on both

I have seen a few Californias with no Eberspatcher i think it was an optional extra when new

[martinj]

Thanks for all that info, it's really useful.
Trouble is, it just makes me and the wife want a High-top Westy even more! Haven't yet seen any in the lower price band you referred to - hence still just a dream...

[..lee..]

we`d all love a mint atlantic or caifornia but as said before buy on condition. my brother has an 87 joker high top and is awsome in the bad weather. i`ve got 2 pop tops but a high top would be better for us really.

lee.

[jason k]

aye a joker is everybit as good

[martinj]

Might have the chance of a very nice looking California for £8k. Any tips?

[jason k]

make sure everything works, eber fridge pas etc, all v expensive to fix.